Hosiery donning device

ABSTRACT

Devices and methods to assist a user in donning hosiery are provided. The device comprises an elongated flexible blade extending between a distal end and a proximal end, the blade configured to contact at least a portion of a user&#39;s foot, the blade having a textured inner surface configured to face towards the user&#39;s lower leg, and an smooth opposing outer surface relative to the textured inner surface.

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of and is aContinuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/155,606, filed onJun. 8, 2011, which is co-pending, entitled “Compression StockingDonning Device” which claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/353,241 filed on Jun. 10, 2010, andentitled “Compression Stocking Donning Device.” These entire disclosuresare hereby incorporated by reference into the present disclosure.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to devices that assist a user in thedonning of a compression garment such as compression hose.

Compression garments such as compression stockings, for example, arewidely used to treat a variety of different vascular and circulatorydisorders. Generally, patients wear such garments around a limb, such asan arm or a leg, that require compression therapy. The idea is that thecompression garment applies a controlled, compressive force to the limbto improve blood flow through the limb. The improved blood flow helpstreat or manage certain vascular and/or circulatory conditions, such asdeep vein thrombosis (DVT), post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), swelling,varicose veins, and in some cases, may help to heal ulcerations.

Compression garments are typically manufactured from an elastic materialthat stretches around the limb but is extremely tight fitting. Becauseof this tight fit, they are notoriously difficult for people to put onand take off. For example, many elderly people wear compression hose orcompression stockings that fit around a foot and at least part of a leg.Because of their age and/or their condition, their strength anddexterity may be limited, thereby making the already laborious processof pulling the compression stocking over the foot and leg even morearduous. Therefore, there is a need for new compression stocking donningdevices and methods that can easily allow donning of the compressionstocking.

SUMMARY

The current stocking donning devices and methods allow easy donning ofthe compression stockings. Accordingly, a flexible device that assists auser in donning a compression garment, such as compression hose isprovided. Generally, the device includes a flexible elongated blade. Theblade is configured to contact at least a portion of a user's foot. Theblade comprises an inner surface configured to face towards the user'slower leg and an opposing smooth outer surface. The inner surface beingconcave and the outer surface being convex. The inner surface istextured relative to the smooth outer surface and the textured innersurface of the blade comprises ridges to prevent the device frominadvertently slipping relative to the user's leg and/or foot while theuser dons the compression hose. The outer surface is smooth to reducefriction between the compression hose and the blade. This reducedfriction allows the compression hose to slide over the device therebymaking it easier for the user to don the tight-fitting compression hose.

In some embodiments, a device is provided that assists a user in donninghosiery. The device comprises a flexible elongated blade. The blade isconfigured to be flexible such that the blade is bendable to contact atleast a portion of the user's foot. The blade comprises an inner surfaceconfigured to face towards a portion of the user's lower leg and anopposing smooth outer surface. The inner surface has a concave portionand the outer surface has a convex portion. The inner surface has atleast a portion that is textured relative to the smooth outer surfaceand at least a portion comprising a plurality of ridges configured togrip at least a portion of the user's foot. The blade comprises a raisedportion extending from the smooth outer surface and is configured tocreate a space between a surface such that at least a portion of theuser's foot is positioned above the raised portion on or adjacent theinner surface on the plurality of ridges. The blade further comprises ahandle positioned at the proximal end of the blade where the handle isoffset from a longitudinal axis.

In various embodiments, a method of donning hosiery using a donningassistance device is provided. The method comprises providing a deviceto assist a user in donning hosiery comprising an elongated bladeextending between a distal end and a proximal end. The blade isconfigured to be flexible such that the blade is bendable and contactsat least a portion of the user's foot. The blade comprises a texturedinner surface configured to face the user's lower leg and an opposingsmooth outer surface relative to the textured inner surface configuredto face a supporting surface that at least a portion of the user's footis positioned above.

In some embodiments, the method of donning hosiery further comprisesplacing the device on the supporting surface, placing the user's foot onthe inner surface of the device, capturing the device and the user'sfoot with the hosiery, pulling the hosiery to the ankle, pulling thehosiery over the heel, raising the user's foot and pulling the hosieryup the user's lower leg, and releasing the device from the hosiery.

Additional features and advantages of various embodiments will be setforth in part in the description that follows, and in part will beapparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of variousembodiments. The objectives and other advantages of various embodimentswill be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In part, other aspects, features, benefits and advantages of theembodiments will be apparent with regard to the following description,appended claims and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a device according tothe principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front view of components of the device, as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a back view of components of the device, as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of one embodiment of a device according to theprinciples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective bottom view of components of the device, asshown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side cross sectional view of components of the device, asshown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of components of the device, as shown inFIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a component of the device, as shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of components of the device, asshown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the device, as shown in FIG. 1 employedby a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unlessotherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients,percentages or proportions of materials, reaction conditions, and othernumerical values used in the specification and claims, are to beunderstood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.”Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parametersset forth in the following specification and attached claims areapproximations that may vary depending upon the desired propertiessought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, andnot as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine ofequivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter shouldat least be construed in light of the number of reported significantdigits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forththe broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numericalvalues set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely aspossible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certainerrors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in theirrespective testing measurements. Moreover, all ranges disclosed hereinare to be understood to encompass any and all subranges subsumedtherein. For example, a range of “1 to 10” includes any and allsubranges between (and including) the minimum value of 1 and the maximumvalue of 10, that is, any and all subranges having a minimum value ofequal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value of equal to or less than10, e.g., 5.5 to 10.

It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims,the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” include plural referents unlessexpressly and unequivocally limited to one referent. Thus, for example,reference to “a ridge” includes one, two, three or more ridges.

Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments of theinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with theillustrated embodiments, it will be understood that they are notintended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary,the invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, andequivalents, which may be included within the invention as defined bythe appended claims.

The headings below are not meant to limit the disclosure in any way;embodiments under any one heading may be used in conjunction withembodiments under any other heading.

Donning Device

New donning devices are provided that can help a user put on compressiongarments, such as, for example, prescription strength therapeuticcompression hosiery. The donning device greatly reduces the frictionnormally associated with putting on compression garments over a user'sfoot and lower leg. One advantage of the donning device is that it isflexible to bend, conform and/or contact the outline of at least aportion of a user's foot and/or lower leg. As used herein a “flexible”device refers to devices that are capable of being flexed, bent, bowedand/or twisted by hand, without breaking. The inner surface of thedonning device is textured to prevent the device from inadvertentlyslipping relative to the user's leg and/or foot while the user dons thecompression hose. “Textured,” as used herein, refers to the localdeviations of the topography of a surface from a perfectly flat plane(e.g., ridges, protrusions, etc). Surface texture is one of theimportant factors that control friction. The user maneuvers the deviceby the gripping surface of the handle grip. “Gripping surface,” as usedherein, refers to a surface, such as, for example, a sleeve,ergonomically designed to promote a strong hold on an object.“Tribological properties,” as used herein, refers to the properties ofinteracting surfaces that are in relative motion. Tribologicalproperties include friction, lubrication, and/or wear of interactingsurfaces. “Hosiery,” as used herein, includes compression andnon-compression stocking and/or socks.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, a donning device 10 isconfigured to assist a user in donning a compression garment, such as,for example, a prescription strength therapeutic compression hosiery.The device comprises an elongated, flexible blade 12 extending between adistal end 8 and an opposing proximal end 2. A longitudinal axis Aextends between the distal and proximal ends and a transverse axis Bextends along the distal end. In one embodiment, the proximal endincludes a handle 16 configured to maneuver the flexible blade.

In one embodiment, the blade comprises a leg section 18 and a footsection 20. The blade is bendable such that the leg section bends,conforms and/or contacts a rear profile of at least a portion of auser's lower leg, and the foot section conforms and/or contacts to aprofile of at least a portion of a user's foot. In some embodiments, thefoot section conforms to a sole, sides and/or heel of the user's feet.The blade includes an inner surface 22 and an opposing outer surface 24.In one embodiment, the inner surface is concave and the outer surface isconvex, and is configured for disposal with a user's foot. The legsection and the foot section extend from the bottom of a user's forefootto a user's lower calf, and conforms and/or contacts substantially tothat profile.

In one embodiment, the blade includes an edge 26 defining a perimeter.The perimeter defines the shape of the blade. In one embodiment, theperimeter is rectangular. In one embodiment the perimeter can havealternative configurations, such as, for example, tubular, oval, oblong,irregular, non-uniform, variable, and/or tapered. In one embodiment, theedge is rounded. In one embodiment, the edge can have alternativeconfiguration, such as, for example, oval, oblong, irregular,non-uniform, variable, and/or tapered. The edge includes corners 28 inthe foot section. In various embodiments, the corners are rounded toprevent the blade from catching or snagging the interior of acompression garment in the process of a user donning the compressionhose. In some embodiments, the blade includes a wing section 30 wherethe width of the blade is W2. In various embodiments, the portionsadjacent the wing section comprises a width W1, where W2 is greater thanW1. The wing section is configured to ease the task of pulling thecompression hose over the heel of the user's foot.

In some embodiments, the inner surface of the blade includes surfacegeometries configured to affect the tribological interaction between theinner surface and the user's foot. In some embodiments, at least aportion of the inner surface may be rough, textured, porous,semi-porous, dimpled, knurled, toothed and/or grooved. The surfacegeometry of the inner surface is configured to increase the frictionbetween the user's foot and the inner surface such that the blade doesnot slide relative to the user's foot in the process of donning thecompression hose. However, the opposing outer surface is configured toreduce the friction between the compression hose and the blade. As such,the outer surface is smooth and polished relative to the inner surface.The outer surface includes a lower co-efficient of friction than theinner surface.

In various embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the proximal end includesthe handle. The handle is configured to maneuver the blade. In oneembodiment, the handle and the blade are formed as a single monolithicpiece. In one embodiment, the handle may be disposed with the blade inalternate configurations, such as, for example, a friction fit, pressurefit, locking protrusion/recess, locking keyway and/or adhesive. In oneembodiment, the proximal end includes a sleeve 14. The sleeve comprisesan inner surface (not shown) defining an opening (not shown) having thehandle positioned therein. In one embodiment, the sleeve is removablyattached to the handle. In one embodiment, the sleeve is fixedlyattached to the handle via alternate fixation configurations, such as,for example, a friction fit, pressure fit, locking protrusion/recess,locking keyway and/or adhesive. The sleeve is configured to provide theuser with a gripping surface. In some embodiments, the sleeve comprisesa rubber exterior. In one embodiment, the sleeve is rough, textured,porous, semi-porous, dimpled, knurled, toothed and/or grooved.

In some embodiments, the handle is configured for maneuvering the bladeto assist the user in donning a compression hose. In some embodiments,the handle is further configured to remove the blade after the user hasdonned the compression hose.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4-10, device 10 comprises anelongated, flexible blade 50 extending between a distal end 80 and anopposing proximal end 82. A longitudinal axis C extends between thedistal end and the proximal end and a transverse axis D extends alongthe distal end. In one embodiment, the proximal end includes a handle 46configured to maneuver the flexible blade. In some embodiments, alongitudinal axis L extends the entire length of the device from theblade to the handle.

The blade comprises a leg section 58 and a foot section 62. The blade isflexible such that the leg section bends, conforms and/or contacts to arear profile of a user's lower leg, and the foot section conforms and/orcontacts to a profile of a user's foot, such as, for example, a sole,sides and/or the heel. The blade includes an inner surface 70 and anopposing outer surface 72. The leg section and the foot section extendfrom the bottom of a user's forefoot to a user's lower calf, andsubstantially conforms and/or contacts to that profile.

In various embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the inner surface,similar to inner surface 22, includes a surface geometry 42. In someembodiments, the surface geometry extends through the entire length ofthe foot section to enhance the tribological properties of the innersurface. In some embodiments, a controlled texture is added to one oftwo of the surfaces and relative motion reduces the wear whileincreasing the load capacity of the textured surface. In variousembodiments, the controlled texture will increase the life of thedevice. In some embodiments, the surface geometry is not limited to, butmay comprise of striations, ridges, grooves, channels, corrugations,depressions, crimps and/or furrows running parallel to the longitudinalaxis. In some embodiments, the inner surface has at least a portion thatis textured relative to the smooth outer surface and at least a portioncomprising a plurality of ridges. In various embodiments, the at least aportion of the inner surface that is textured is disposed at theproximal end of the blade and the plurality of ridges comprises aportion that is elevated and is disposed at least on the distal end ofthe blade. In some embodiments, the plurality of ridges includesprotrusions. In some embodiments, the surface geometry of the innersurface comprises Mold-Tech® (Mold-Tech Inc., 5166 Barthel IndustrialDrive NE, Albertville, Minn. 55301).

In some embodiments, the inner surface includes a guiding mark 48disposed in a transverse orientation relative to longitudinal axis C,and is disposed at the distal end of the blade. The guiding mark isconfigured to guide a user during placement of the user's foot onto theblade. In some embodiments, the guiding mark is not limited to, but maybe a groove, indentation, and/or protrusion.

In some embodiments, the outer surface includes a raised portion 54 onthe distal end of the blade. The raised portion is configured to createa space between a supporting surface 90, as shown in FIG. 10, and theouter surface, such that the blade is not completely flat against thesupporting surface and the compression hose is able to slip beneath theblade. In various embodiments, the raised portion defines a depression64. In various embodiments, the raised portion is not limited to but maybe a bump, knob, ledge, point, protrusion, extension, ridge and/or rim.In some embodiments, at least a portion of the user's foot is positionedabove the raised portion on or adjacent the inner surface on a pluralityof ridges. In some embodiments, the outer surface has a polished finishwith a lower coefficient of friction than the inner surface.

In some embodiments, a side 60 and corners 68 of the blade are smoothwith rounded edges to prevent the blade from undesirably catching orsnagging on the interior of the compression hose. In variousembodiments, the blade includes a pair of bilateral indents 40 extendinginward from opposite sides of the blade between the foot section and theleg section. The indents are configured to increase the flexibility ofthe blade at a juncture 78. In some embodiments, the juncture includes asmaller width relative to the foot section and the leg section. Thesmaller width of the juncture increases the flexibility of the blade atthat portion. The blade is configured to bend around, conform and/orcontact a user's heel as the user dons the compression hose.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, the proximal endincludes a handle 46. In various embodiments, the handle is offset fromlongitudinal axis C. In some embodiments, the handle and the blade areformed as a single monolithic piece. In some embodiments, handle 46 isfixedly attached to the blade. The handle includes a surface 35 definingsurface geometry, such as, for example a channel 36. The channel extendsperpendicular to longitudinal axis C, and is configured to secure asleeve 44. In alternate embodiments, the channel may comprisestriations, ridges, grooves, corrugations, depressions, crimps and/orfurrows that run perpendicular to longitudinal axis C.

The sleeve is removably attached to the handle at the proximal end ofthe blade. The sleeve includes an inner surface (not shown) defining anopening 45 configured for disposal with the handle. In some embodiments,sleeve 44 is similar to sleeve 14 and is configured as a grippingsurface for a user. In some embodiments, the sleeve comprises arubberized exterior. The handle is configured to allow a user to easilymaneuver the device while donning the compression hose. Once thecompression hose is donned, the handle is configured to allow a user toremove the device.

Method of Use

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 10, a method is provided onhow a user employs the donning device for donning compression hose. Theuser first places the device on a surface, such as, for example,supporting surface 90. Then, the user places the plantar side of his orher foot on inner surface 22, such that the foot section 20 isunderneath the user's sole and/or heel and rounded wings 30 arepositioned proximately on either side of the user's forefoot. Placingpressure on the foot section with the user's foot, the user would thenalign the leg section 18 along the calf of the user's lower leg. Asstated above, the inner surface of blade 12 is configured to bend,conform and/or contact to the lower part of at least a portion of theuser's leg and/or foot. Next, the user places an open end of thecompression hose around his or her toes and pulls the compression hoseup to the ankle, over the heal and pulls the compression hose up the legagainst outer surface 24 of the blade. As discussed above, the roundedwings are configured to facilitate pulling the compression hose over theuser's heel, while the smooth surface reduces the friction between thecompression hose and the blade. The user then raises his or her leg andpulls the compression hose up their lower leg. Once the user hasappropriately donned the compression hose, the user releases the deviceby pulling it out from the compression hose by handle 16.

Device Formation

In various embodiments, the device of the present disclosure may beformed through vacuum pulling, computer numerical control (CNC)machining, or injection molding. In some embodiments, the device ismolded as a single piece from a smooth flexible material such as, forexample, polypropylene and/or polyethylene. In some embodiments, thedevice is molded from Marlex® 9018 50:50 Polyethylene (Chevron PhillipsChemical Company, LP, P.O. Box 4910, The Woodlands, Tex. 77387-4910). Insome embodiments, the device is molded from Marlex® High DensityPolyethylene (HDPE) (Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LP, P.O. Box4910, The Woodlands, Tex. 77387-4910). In some embodiments, the deviceis molded from about 90% HDPE and about 10% Low Density Polyethylene(LDPE). In some embodiments, the device is molded from about 80% HDPEand about 20% LDPE. In some embodiments, the device is molded from about75% HDPE and about 25% LDPE. In some embodiments, the device is moldedfrom about 60% HDPE and about 40% LDPE. In some embodiments, the deviceis molded from about 50% HDPE and about 50% LDPE. In variousembodiments, HDP provides the stiffness required for high speedmachining of the device, whereas LDPE provides the flexibility requiredfor the user to easily don the compression hose. In various embodiments,device 10 is flexible enough to allow it to bend from the top to thebottom and twist from side-to-side. In various embodiments, the deviceis also stiff enough so as to substantially prevent the device frombending from side-to-side along its length.

In some embodiments, the blade comprises a polymer having a modulus ofelasticity from about 1 MPa to about 100 MPa. In some embodiments, themodulus of elasticity is about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48,49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66,67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84,85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 and/or 100MPa.

The present disclosure may, of course, be carried out in other ways thanthose specifically set forth herein without departing from essentialcharacteristics of the disclosure. For example, the specification anddrawings describe the present disclosure in the context of a userdonning compression hose. However, users may also employ the presentdisclosure to assist in removing the compression hose. Therefore, thepresent embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrativeand not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning andequivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embracedtherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for donning hosiery comprising: anelongated flexible blade extending between a distal end and a proximalend, wherein the blade is configured to contact at least a portion of auser's foot, and having a textured inner surface configured to facetowards the user's lower leg, and an opposing smooth outer surfacerelative to the textured inner surface, the outer surface comprising araised portion defining a depression disposed on the distal end of theelongated flexible blade.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein theinner surface is concave and the outer surface is convex.
 3. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the outer surface is continuously smoothbetween the distal and proximal ends to allow the user to slide thehosiery along the device.
 4. A device according to claim 1, wherein thetextured inner surface of the blade comprises ridges.
 5. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the blade includes alower co-efficient of friction than the inner surface of the blade.
 6. Adevice according to claim 1, wherein the blade includes a wing sectionwith an increased width measured across a longitudinal axis, the wingsection configured to create a space between the hosiery and the user'sfoot, the wing section being adjacent to the distal end of the blade. 7.A device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a handledisposed at the proximal end of the blade, and the device comprises asleeve comprising an inner surface defining an opening having the handlepositioned therein, and the sleeve being fixedly attached to the handle.8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the sleeve comprises agripping surface.
 9. A device for donning hosiery comprising: anelongated flexible blade configured to bend and contact at least aportion of a user's foot, the blade comprising an inner surfaceconfigured to face towards a portion of the user's lower leg, and anopposing smooth outer surface, the inner surface having at least aportion that is textured relative to the smooth outer surface and atleast a portion comprising a plurality of ridges, and the bladecomprising a raised portion extending from the smooth outer surface anddefining a depression, the raised portion being disposed on a distal endof the blade and configured to create a space between a surface, suchthat at least a portion of the user's foot is configured to bepositioned above the raised portion on or adjacent the inner surface onthe plurality of ridges.
 10. A device according to claim 9, wherein thesmooth outer surface is continuously smooth between the distal end and aproximal end of the blade to allow the user to slide the hosiery alongthe device, and the at least a portion of the inner surface that istextured is disposed at the proximal end of the blade and the pluralityof ridges comprises a portion that is elevated and is disposed at leaston the distal end of the blade.
 11. A device according to claim 10,wherein the blade comprises an offset angled handle relative to theblade, the handle being disposed at the proximal end of the blade, andthe device comprises a sleeve comprising an inner surface defining anopening configured for disposal of the handle, the sleeve beingremovably attached to the handle.
 12. A device according to claim 11,wherein the handle includes at least one channel extending perpendicularto a longitudinal axis to secure the sleeve to the handle.
 13. A deviceaccording to claim 10, wherein the blade comprises a pair of opposingbilateral indents disposed between the distal end and the proximal end,each of the indents having an arcuate shape to aid the user in donningthe hosiery.
 14. A device according to claim 9, wherein the innersurface of the blade decreases the sliding friction between the innersurface and at least a portion of the user's foot.
 15. A deviceaccording to claim 10, wherein (i) the blade is wider at the distal endthan at the proximal end so as to mimic a configuration of at least aportion of the user's foot; and (ii) the raised portion extending fromthe smooth outer surface opposes the plurality of ridges of the innersurface.
 16. A device according to claim 10, wherein the blade includesa groove on the inner surface of the distal end, the groove extendingtransverse to a longitudinal axis and being configured to guide theplacement of the user's foot.
 17. A method of using the device of claim1 for donning hosiery, the method comprising: providing a donning devicecomprising an elongated blade extending between a distal end and anopposing proximal end, wherein the blade is flexible and configured tobend and contact at least a portion of the user's foot, the blade havingan textured inner surface configured to face the user's lower leg, andan opposing smooth outer surface relative to the textured inner surfaceconfigured to face a supporting surface that at least a portion of theuser's foot is positioned above; placing the device on the supportingsurface; placing the user's foot on the inner surface; capturing thedevice and the user's foot with the hosiery; pulling the hosiery to theankle; pulling the hosiery over the heel; raising the user's foot andpulling the hosiery up the user's lower leg; and releasing the devicefrom the hosiery.
 18. A method according to claim 17, wherein thetextured inner surface of the blade comprises ridges and the outersurface of the blade includes a lower co-efficient of friction than theinner surface of the blade to enable the user to slip the hosierybeneath the device.
 19. A method according to claim 17, wherein theblade includes a wing section with an increased width measured across alongitudinal axis, the wing section configured to create a space betweenthe hosiery and the user's foot, the wing section being in closerproximity to the distal end than the proximal end of the blade.
 20. Amethod according to claim 17, wherein pulling the hosiery to the anklecomprises sliding the hosiery along the outer surface wherein the outersurface is continuously smooth between the distal and proximal ends toallow the user to slide the hosiery along the device withoutobstruction.